INTRO we are obsessed with this bamboo cutlery set - it's our secret weapon against using throw-away plastic utensils that crop up everywhere! this cutlery set is made from organic, hand-carved bamboo. it includes a knife, fork and spoon, each 7 1/4 inches long and burnished to a smooth, satiny sheen. this set is great for those out & about, whether it's a family picnic or work lunch "al desko". small, light and strong, these utensils will hold up to lots of use and abuse, and they won't warp or swell when you hand-wash them in soapy water. made without yucky glues or lacquers and naturally resistant to picking up food flavors, this set is the pinnacle of green glam! Need I say more? CARE INSTRUCTIONS dishwasher safe but we recommend hand wash with warm soapy water to maintain long-lasting finish. not recommended for microwave nor dishwasher. REPLACEMENT FOR... plastic cutlery! because most plastic cutlery out there is made from a type of plastic known as polystyrene. polystyrene or expanded polystyrene is more commonly referred to as styrofoam. it is very difficult to recycle styrofoam. most counties simply do not offer styrofoam recycling and thus plastic cutlery that is put into a recycling bin is usually just sorted out at the recycling facility and sent to a landfill. we don't want to be part of that, right?